Apecs debuts in 1:57.4

Apecs trotted to a 1:57.4 victory in the second of two $28,000 Hanover divisions for 2-year-old fillies Tuesday night at Balmoral Park, while Fox Valley Deja captured the first split in 1:59.2.
Patiently handled in her career debut by driver Andy Miller, Apecs, a daughter of Muscles Yankee, settled in fifth early, almost 11 lengths off the early pace set by Bandelin and driver Dale Hiteman. Bandelin hit the quarter in :29 and half in :58.4.

Miller then tipped Apecs to the outside where he picked up cover before moving three wide at the 1:28.4 three-quarters. Apecs stormed home in :28.2 to defeat 60-1 longshot Box Of Dreams. Rhonda T was third, 3 ½ lengths behind the winner.

The Ervin Miller-trained miss, who was the even-money favorite in her debut, was an $80,000 yearling purchase by Daniel Waxman’s Vandalay Racing.

In the first division of the filly action, Sandra Gross, Daniel Partridge, Connie Spitzner and Fire and Smoke Stables’ Fox Valley Deja managed to stay away from the road trouble that plagued many of the youngsters in the field and she won for driver Tim Tetrick.

Rallying late, Fox Valley Deja held off the late charge of Princess Ironstone by a head. Real Hope recovered from an early break to finish a length back in third.

Trainer Shawn Nessa conditioned the winning filly, who now boasts a record of three wins and two seconds in her first five career starts. Sent off as the third choice in the wagering, Fox Valley Deja returned $10.60.

Freshman colt trotters went postward in a single $35,400 contest, and the inexperience of the field showed as seven of the 11 starts made breaks at some point on the first turn. When the smoke finally cleared it was Lavern Hostetler and Phil Wiley’s New Balance who picked up his first career win, timed in a very respectable 1:582.

Coming up the passing lane for trainer-driver Laverne Hostetler, New Balance was able to catch Superior Judge by a head. Onawing Andaprayer finished nine lengths back in third.

A son of Valley Victor, New Balance now has one win and one second in four career starts.

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